The House Ethics Committee has released a damning report alleging that former Rep. Matt Gaetz paid thousands of dollars to women for sex and drugs, including an encounter with a 17-year-old in 2017. The findings, made public following Gaetz's resignation from Congress, reveal a pattern of alleged misconduct spanning years and involving payments, illicit drug use, and violations of both federal and state laws.
The 37-page report asserts that Gaetz violated numerous House rules and Florida state laws, including statutory rape and illicit drug use. It further accuses Gaetz of engaging in activities that the committee deemed inappropriate for a member of Congress, citing transactions made via PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp to over a dozen women. In one instance, Gaetz allegedly paid $400 to a minor for sex at a 2017 party, though the report notes that the minor did not disclose her age to Gaetz, nor did he inquire.
The investigation highlights an array of alleged misconduct. In one example, Gaetz participated in a 2018 trip to the Bahamas, during which he allegedly took ecstasy and engaged in sexual activity with multiple women. The committee found that the trip, described by one participant as "the payment" for sexual favors, violated House gift rules.
Gaetz denied the allegations in a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), asserting, "I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18." He acknowledged past behavior, stating, "I probably partied, womanized, drank, and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now." However, the committee report directly contradicts his denials, citing text messages, witness testimony, and payment records as evidence.
The Ethics Committee's findings also detail a pattern of drug use by Gaetz, with multiple witnesses testifying to his use of cocaine, marijuana, and ecstasy between 2017 and 2020. Text messages obtained by the committee revealed coded language referring to drugs, including terms like "party favors" and "vitamins." Notably, Gaetz allegedly created a pseudonymous email from his House office to purchase marijuana, a claim he denied in his written responses to the committee.
In addition to the sexual and drug-related allegations, the report accuses Gaetz of using his position to secure favors. It highlights an incident where Gaetz's chief of staff helped a woman he was romantically involved with obtain a passport, falsely claiming she was a constituent.
The investigation had been on hold while federal authorities conducted a separate probe into sex trafficking allegations against Gaetz. That investigation concluded earlier this year without charges. The Ethics Committee resumed its work following the closure of the federal case, ultimately uncovering evidence that Gaetz had facilitated the transportation of women across state lines for sex. However, the committee determined that these actions did not meet the federal definition of sex trafficking, as all women involved were over 18.
Gaetz's defense has centered on allegations of political bias, claiming the committee's actions are a "weaponization" of its processes. He has accused the panel of leaking information and acting on behalf of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, whom Gaetz helped oust earlier this year.
Despite Gaetz's resignation from Congress and his subsequent move to a media role at One America News Network, the report's release marks a rare move by the Ethics Committee. Traditionally, such findings are withheld if the subject is no longer in office. However, the committee deemed the evidence significant enough to warrant public disclosure, with bipartisan support for its release.
The revelations have sent shockwaves through Washington, further tarnishing Gaetz's reputation and raising questions about his political future. Gaetz, once a rising star in the GOP and a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, now faces a legacy overshadowed by allegations of misconduct.
